Prevention specialist and CDC Prevention Program Coordinator Kathleen Flynn-Bisson, standing at right, leads Community Coalition members gathered at a recent meeting kicking off Suffolk County Community College’s efforts to stem substance abuse among teens.

Suffolk County Community College’s Michael J. Grant Campus Chemical Dependency Counseling (CDC) Program has launched a community coalition to reduce underage alcohol use, tobacco and other drug consumption on the campus as well as in the surrounding Brentwood community. The effort is being funded by a $690,704, five-year, New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) – College Environmental Prevention Grant awarded to the college last year and unanimously adopted by the Suffolk County Legislature on February 6.

A newly formed campus community coalition is the driving force behind the effort and will implement strategies to reduce availability and problems associated with drinking, substance misuse and abuse.

Coalition members include representatives from various Suffolk County Community College departments as well as community members, including parents, teachers, law enforcement, businesses, religious leaders, health providers and other community activists who are mobilizing at the local level to make their communities safer, healthier and drug-free.

Prevention specialist and CDC Prevention Program Coordinator Kathleen Flynn-Bisson will spearhead the coalition’s efforts. Flynn-Bisson said the coalition will focus on:

preventing access or the methods in which underage youth procure alcohol e.g., fake identification or third party transactions

changing the campus community norms that promote underage drinking

prevention and reduction of drug use including prescription misuse.

Flynn-Bisson said one of the first actions of the group was an Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Survey to evaluate student’s concerns, attitudes and knowledge about drinking and drug use, their experience with individuals who have been drinking, and their own experiences with alcohol and other drugs. A random sample of Grant campus students were sent an email inviting them to participate in the survey that will be conducted three times over the next five years. The results of the survey will give the coalition a better understanding of current substance use issues and in turn will guide their prevention efforts.

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At right, Air Force Master Sgt. Gerald Kurz, a loadmaster with the 102nd Rescue Squadron assigned to the the 106th Rescue Wing and current student at Suffolk County Community College, describes the details of the HC-130 P/N King to Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay, left.

Suffolk County Community College will offer courses at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard base, home of the 106th Rescue Wing, located in Westhampton Beach this spring. A first for the 106th Rescue Wing and the college.

Suffolk County Community College will offer two courses this spring that will enable Air National Guard members to gain credits towards an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). The CCAF degree is mandatory for higher level promotions. Psychology 101 begins on February 1 and English 101 follows on February 6.

The 106th Rescue Wing Command Chief, Michael T. Hewson said, “In the Air Force, we expect our members to strive for excellence. One of the ways we can do this is though continuing our education.”

Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay announced the innovative program with wing leadership last fall at a dedication ceremony for a Veterans Plaza at the college’s Eastern Campus honoring Suffolk County Community College student and Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Louis Bonacasa, 31, killed in action in December of 2015 while serving in Afghanistan as a security forces defender.

“Suffolk County Community College is committed to assisting our military by helping them achieve their educational and personal goals. In the process, we know we are fulfilling our community mission as well as helping to produce a new generation of lifelong learners equipped with the skills they can utilize both during their careers and long after,” said College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay.

Dr. McKay added that the program will continue for the foreseeable future.

The Suffolk Community College Foundation’s mission is to support student access to quality education and vocational skill training by providing scholarships, emergency loans and funding for program development. Additionally, the Foundation seeks to engage alumni to maintain their connection to the college, to support foundation events, philanthropy, student mentorship and internship opportunities.

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Supervisor Romaine Announces Free Seminar for Prospective College Students

posted on 1/19/2018 9:47:00 AM

Farmingville, NY – On March 8, the Brookhaven Youth Bureau and Suffolk Community College will host a free seminar for parents and students who are interested in enrolling in college. Representatives from Suffolk Community College will discuss the college application process, financial aid opportunities, scholarship opportunities and the various programs and services the college offers to students. Much of the information provided can be used toward the overall college application process. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Brookhaven Town Hall, located at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville.

“Suffolk County Community College offers hundreds of diverse programs,” said College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay. “The College, New York State’s largest community college, provides a high-quality education at an affordable price that can lead students toward a four-year institution. The college also offers a host of grant and scholarship programs, easy transfer between SUNY institutions and a host of clubs and athletic opportunities. I urge students to learn more about all that Suffolk has to offer.”

Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “It is great seeing the Youth Bureau and Suffolk Community College continuing to work together to help both students and parents in Brookhaven Town. This seminar will help guide them through the college application process and also make them aware of the many opportunities that are available.”

Councilman Michael Loguercio ’80, who serves as the Town Board Liaison to the Youth Bureau, said, “The college application process includes many important family decisions, and this program will help educate both parents and children about that decision-making process. I want to thank Suffolk Community College and the Youth Bureau for the great programs and services they provide to Brookhaven’s youth.”

The seminar will last approximately an hour and a half. Each presenter will speak for approximately a half hour, and then take ten to fifteen minutes after their presentations to answer questions.

Participants are asked to register in advance with the Youth Bureau by Thursday, March 1 by calling 631-451-8011.

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Suffolk County Community College students and recent graduates share their thanks to our very special donors!

“It is… very helpful to know that there are people out there who care about the success of others when it is hard enough to believe in yourself. I hope that I can change someone’s life for the better as you have changed mine.” – Student, Southold

“Sometimes things just get rough and you need some help. I’m very grateful for the care and consideration shown to me in time of need.” – Student, Bay Shore

“Thank you very much for supporting a piece of my dream. This is a meaningful encouragement. Since the path is still long and rough, I keep pushing forward with your generosity in my heart.” – Alumna, Class of 2017, Farmingville

“I am very excited to have one of my dreams come true, which is being a college graduate. Thanks to your fund I was able to do this.” – Alumna, Class of 2017, Port Jefferson Station

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The students of Suffolk County Community College African People’s Association on the Michael J. Grant Campus invite you to attend their 33rd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 6pm. The event will be held in Captree Commons cafeteria.

For more information please contact Campus Activities at (631) 851-6702.

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The College’s Campus Veteran Resource Center and the Student Veterans of America will be hosting a Veteran suicide prevention program on the College’s three campuses. Guest speaker, Tim Lawson, a Veteran and founder of the 1, 2, Many Project will engage the community in applying proactive solutions to address the alarming suicide statistics among the Veteran population. The attached flyer provides more information.

The Ammerman Campus presentation will be held on:

Wednesday, November 29th, 2017

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Islip Arts Building, Room 115, 533 College Road, Selden, NY 11784

Questions? 631-451-4456 Option 1

This program is open to all and please share with anyone who would be interested in attending.

On Tuesday November 21, 2017 Suffolk Community College Foundation Board Member Belinda Pagdanganan (National Grid, Government Relations) visited Michael J. Grant Campus Food Pantry. The Food Pantry supports 200 – 250 students and families from Saturday 11/18/17 to Tuesday 11/22/17. Suffolk County Community College students receive turkey, ham or chicken, stuffing, canned goods, desserts and donated fresh bread from Modern Italian Bakery (631) 589-7300. Winter hats, Pepsi products and other items are donated by alumni and friends of the Food Pantry.

Professor Sister Mary Ann Borrello created the Michael J. Grant Campus food pantry and coordinates among faculty, staff and student donations. Support is provided to students that connect with Lisa Hamilton’s staff in the Office of Campus Activities and Student Leadership Development. Students receive information for additional campus and community based services upon their visit.

Alumnae Tricia Wildman ’15 and Carmen returned to campus to help advise current student volunteers who were participating in Anthropology and Social Science courses.

Suffolk Community College Foundation supports by donating $950.00 for 15 cases of turkeys from campus vendor Aramark. Special thanks to our volunteers, donors, faculty, staff, students and alumni for the generous donations.

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A Thanksgiving Tradition: Suffolk County Community College Culinary students prepare Thanksgiving meals for needy families.

Suffolk County Community College’s Culinary Arts program students will prepare about 200 dinners for Community Action Southold Town’s (CAST) Greenport food pantry in what has become an annual and happy undertaking for the college’s culinary program and its students.

This is the first year Suffolk’s Culinary program has worked with CAST, a not-for-profit that has worked in Southold Town since 1965 to help low-income residents meet basic needs in the areas of nutrition, employment, energy, and education. CAST exists as a safety net for Southold Town families from Laurel to Orient Point, including Fisher’s Island. The majority of CAST’s funding comes from the generosity of the community.

This marks the ninth year Suffolk County Community College students and faculty have happily volunteered their culinary expertise to support the holiday cooking.

The dinner preparation will take place onWednesday, November 22, 2017 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts & Hospitality Center, 20 East Main St., Riverhead, NY 11901.Cooking and packaging the meals will run through to 12 noon.

“We celebrate Thanksgiving by cooking and sharing our favorite foods, being with the ones we love and giving thanks for all that we have. Our college and students, faculty and staff enjoy giving back to our community,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay.

About 40 students and faculty chefs from the college’s culinary program will prepare the meal whose ingredients are provided by CAST — more than 20 turkeys; 100 pounds of mashed potatoes; 50 pounds of sweet potatoes; 80 pounds of stuffing; 25 pounds of assorted vegetables and 20 each of apple and pumpkin pies. And, of course, gravy – more than 5 gallons of it!

The Clinton Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 614 Third Street, Greenport is working in collaboration with CAST for people who want to gather and eat their hot turkey dinner in fellowship with their neighbors or pick up a meal to take home. The church will distribute meals on Wednesday Nov 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.